4-Wheel Alignment – Hythe

Correct wheel alignment keeps your vehicle tracking straight, reduces tyre wear, and makes a genuine difference to fuel economy and handling. It’s also something that goes wrong gradually and quietly, often without the driver noticing until the tyres are already wearing unevenly or the car is pulling under braking. 

At B & D Specialist Cars, we have invested significantly in our 4-wheel alignment system, which is one of the most accurate systems available and a significant step up from the basic two-wheel equipment found in many garages. 

What is wheel alignment?

In short, it’s which way your wheels point. Vehicle manufacturers set very specific angles for the wheels. This isn’t always dead straight; slightly toe-in, for example, can increase vehicle stability, but too much would make it worse and lead to other issues like tyre wear, drifting, and vibrations as you drive.

This is why it’s important to come to a garage with the expertise and equipment to do the job properly. B & D Specialist Cars can individually reset the alignment of all four of your car’s wheels to factory standards along the vehicle’s centreline and relative to each other, enhancing handling, tyre longevity, and overall vehicle performance.

Key angles that we adjust during a wheel alignment include:

• Camber: The tilt of the tyres when viewed from the front – imagine your wheels leaning. Proper camber helps distribute weight evenly across the tyre surface.
• Toe: The angle at which the tyres point inward or outward when viewed from above. Correct toe alignment is vital for straight-line stability.
• Caster: The angle of the steering axis, which affects steering stability and cornering.

Benefits of 4-Wheel Alignment

1. Improved Tyre Longevity: Proper alignment helps prevent uneven tyre wear, extending the life of your tyres and saving you money on replacements.
2. Enhanced Vehicle Handling: A well-aligned vehicle provides better steering response and stability, making for a smoother driving experience.
3. Increased Fuel Efficiency: Correct alignment reduces rolling resistance, which can improve fuel economy by up to 10%.
4. Safety: Regular alignment checks can help identify potential issues with the suspension system, reducing the risk of accidents caused by handling problems.

When should wheel alignment be checked?

• After hitting a significant pothole or kerb 
• Following any suspension, steering, or wheel-related work 
• When tyre wear is uneven across an axle 
• If the car pulls to one side when driving or braking 
• As part of a routine annual maintenance check – at least once a year or every 12,000 miles 

What’s the difference between two-wheel and four-wheel alignment? 

Two-wheel alignment, sometimes called tracking, only measures and adjusts the front axle. Four-wheel alignment measures all four corners of the vehicle simultaneously, accounting for the rear axle geometry and the relationship between all four wheels. On modern vehicles, four-wheel alignment is almost always the correct approach and gives a far more accurate result. 

We carry out four-wheel alignment for drivers from Hythe and across the area. If you’re due a tyre change or have recently had suspension work done, it’s the ideal time to get alignment checked at the same visit.